Foldable step exerciser

ABSTRACT

A foldable step exerciser has a base and two pedal members symmetrically provided on two sides of the base. An interlock member is moveably connected to the base and a stopping element is mounted in a rear end of the interlock member and can slide along the base. A protrusion is mounted in a front end of the interlock member and two driving members are respectively mounted between each pedal and an end of the protrusion. When one of the pedals is treaded downwards, the other pedal is moved upwards via the protrusion being driven by the driving members and therefore, a user can exercise. When the interlock member as well as the stopping element is adjusted to move forwards and the pedals are not limited by the stopping element, the pedals can be folded for convenient storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable step exerciser, and moreparticularly to a step exerciser which is easy to fold for storage.

2. Description of the Related Art

A first conventional step exerciser has a base and two seatssymmetrically provided on the base. Two pedals, each of which has twowings formed thereon, are respectively provided on the seats and tworesistance members are respectively pivotally mounted between each pedaland the base. A holder is mounted on rear ends of the seats and has aplat received therein. Two interlock members are respectively mountedbetween each wing and one of two ends of the plat. The wings arerespectively driven by the interlock members via the plat so that thepedals can be moved up and down, or right and left for an user to step.However, the first conventional step exerciser has a large volume andcan not be folded thereby difficult to move or store and occupies alarge space.

A second conventional step exerciser has a base, a pulley mounted in afront end of the base, and two pedals pivotally and respectively mountedon two sides of the base. A pressure cylinder is provided between thetwo pedals and the base. A rope is wrapped around the pulley andconnected to the pedals so that the pedals are moved up and down viabeing driven by the rope. However, the rope must be detached from thepulley to fold and store the second conventional step exerciser.

Therefore, the invention provides a folded step exerciser to mitigate orobviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a foldablestep exerciser which is easy to fold and store.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable step exerciser inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a driving member of thefoldable step exerciser in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable step exerciser in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view in partial section of the foldable step exerciserin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a first operational side view of the foldable step exerciserin FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a second operational side view of the foldable step exerciserin FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the foldable step exerciser inFIG. 1 in a folded condition;

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the foldable step exerciser inFIG. 1 in a folded condition;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the foldable step exerciser in FIG. 1 in afolded condition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the foldable step exerciser in FIG. 1provided with shells; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the foldable step exerciser with the shells inFIG. 10 in a folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a folded step exerciser comprises a base(10), two pedal members (20) symmetrically provided in two sides of thebase (10), and an interlock member (30) mounted in the base (10) andconnected to the pedal members (20).

The base (10) has a girder (11), a reverse D-like rod (12), a C-likepivotal element (13), a rear shaft (14), a front shaft (15) and a seat(16). The girder (11) has a pin hole (111) and a guiding slot (112)separately defined in a top thereof. A pin tube (1111) is inserted intothe pin hole (111), and a lower end of the pin tube (1111) is connectedto a bottom of the girder (11) while an upper end of the pin tube (1111)extends out of the top of the girder (11). A flange (1112) is formed atan inner upper end of the pin tube (1111). A elongated hole (113) isdefined in the bottom of the girder (11) and a rear axle hole (114) isdefined in one side of the girder (11) and transversely provided betweenthe elongated hole (113) and the pin hole (111).

Two guiding blocks (115) are respectively and symmetrically provided onthe bottom of the girder (11) and correspond to the pin hole (111). Arail (116) is formed between the two guiding blocks (115) andlongitudinally extends along the girder (11). Two first threaded holes(1151) are respectively defined in each guiding block (115).

The reverse D-like rod (12) has an arcuate post provided in a rear endof the girder (11) and a handle (121) transversely provided between twoends of the arcuate post thereby a user grasping the handle (121) forkeeping balance. The C-like pivotal element (13) is provided in a frontend of the girder (11), and a top end of the pivotal element (13) isprovided above the girder (11). A front axle hole (131) is transverselydefined through two sides of the pivotal element (13) and is above therear axle hole (114).

The rear shaft (14) has two second threaded holes (141) respectivelydefined in two ends thereof and a middle portion of the rear shaft (14)is inserted into the rear axle hole (114). Two first beam barrels (142)are respectively mounted around two opposed portions of the rear shaft(14) exposed out of the girder (11). Two collars (143), each of whichhas a diminished end and a thick end, are respectively attached to twoends of the rear shaft (14) via the diminished ends. The thick ends arerespectively level with the ends of the rear shaft (14).

The front shaft (15), shorter than the rear axle shaft (14), has a twofirst threaded portions (151) formed in two ends thereof and a middleportion of the front axle shaft (15) is inserted into the front axlehole (131). Two second beam barrels (152), each of which has adiminished end and a thick end exposed out of the pivotal element (13),are respectively attached to two ends of the front shaft (15) via thediminished ends. Two first nuts (153) are respectively screwed onto thefirst threaded portions (151) to position the front shaft (15) on thepivotal element (13).

The seat (16) is provided at the bottom of and perpendicular to thegirder (11). The seat (16) has a plane (161) formed thereon and a middleportion of the plane (161) is provided at the bottom of the girder (11).A first opening (1611) is defined in the plane (161) and corresponds tothe pin hole (111). Four lock holes (1612) are respectively defined inthe plane (161) and correspond to the first threaded holes (1151). Fourfirst bolts (1613) are respectively inserted through the lock holes(1612) and screwed into the first threaded holes (1151) so that theplane (161) is securely mounted under the girder (11).

Two wings (162) are respectively formed in two opposed ends of the plane(16) and extend upright. Two second openings (1621) are respectivelydefined in the wings (162). Two second bolts (163) are respectivelyextended through the second openings (1621) and screwed into the secondthreaded holes (141) so that the plane (16) is securely mounted on therear shaft (14) and under the girder (11). Two C-like lower cylinderseats (164) are provided on the top respectively near two ends of theplane (161).

The pedal members (20) are symmetrically provided on two sides of thegirder (11) and each pedal member (20) has a pedal (21), a front armseat (211) provided on a bottom of the pedal (21) and a rear arm seat(212) provided on the bottom of the pedal (21). An upper cylinder seat(213) is mounted on the bottom of each pedal (21) and between the frontarm seat (211) and the rear arm seat (212). Two front arms (22) arerespectively and pivotally connected to the front arm seats (211) andeach has a first sleeve (221) provided at a free end thereof. The firstsleeves (221) are respectively mounted around the front beam barrels(152) so that the front arms (22) can be pivoted. Two flats (222) arerespectively formed on the first sleeves (221) and extend substantiallydownwards. A through hole is defined through a lower end of each flat(222).

A rear arm (23) is pivotally connected to each rear arm seat (212) andparallel to the corresponding front arm (22). A second sleeve (231) isformed in a lower end of each rear arm seat (23) and mounted around oneof the collars (143) thereby pivotally rotating. A pressure cylinder(24) is pivotally connected between each upper cylinder seat (213) andone of the lower cylinder seats (164). A stopping block (214) isprovided on the bottom of each pedal (21) and extends laterally abovethe girder (11). A magnetic block (2141) and a sensor (2142) arerespectively and securely mounted on the stopping blocks (214) so thateach sensor (2142) can monitor the passing times of the magnetic block(2141) mounted on the other pedal (21) when the step exerciser isworking. Hence, times of treading the pedals (21) by the user can becalculated.

The interlock member (30) has a board (31) extending into the seat (16)and the rail (116). A first inserting hole (311) is defined in the board(31) and corresponds to the pin hole (111), and a second inserting hole(314) is defined in the board (31). A knob element (32) has a knob (321)and a bar (322) inserted into the pin tube (1111) and extends out of theflange (1112). A head (3221), the diameter of which is slightly biggerthan that of rest of the bar (322), is formed in a lower end of the bar(322). A coil spring (323) is mounted around the bar (322) and betweenhead (3221) of the bar (322) and the flange (1112). The bar (322)extends through the first opening (1611), the coil spring (322) and thefirst inserting hole (311) so that the board (31) is securely connectedto the girder (11). The bar (322) can be alternatively inserted into thesecond inserting hole (314) also to position the board (31) at adifferent location relative to the girder (11) and therefore, theposition of the board (31) can be adjusted relative to the girder (11).

A stopping block (33) is connected to the board (31) via the guidingslot (112) and has a lug (331) formed on an upper end thereof. A finger(332) is formed at a lower end of the stopping block (33) and extendsdownwards to connect to the board (31). The lug (331) corresponds to thestopping blocks (214).

A C-like holder (312) is formed at a front end of the board (31) and anupper end of the holder (312) is received into a rear end of theelongated hole (113). An orifice (3121) is longitudinally defined in theholder (312). A protrusion (34) is transversely mounted in the holder(312) and a pivotal orifice (341) is defined in a center of theprotrusion (34). An axle (313) is inserted into the orifice (3121) andthe pivotal orifice (341) in turn and two through apertures (342) arerespectively defined in two ends of the protrusions (34). A drivingelement (35) is pivotally provided between each flat (222) and acorresponding protrusion (34) via the through hole and one of thethrough apertures (342).

Each driving element (35) comprises a shank (351) and a pole (352). Athreaded aperture is defined in a rear end of the shank (351) and afirst bear (3512) is formed in a front end of the shank (351). A secondthreaded portion (3521) is formed in a front end of the pole (352) andcorresponds to the threaded aperture in the shank (351). A second bear(3522) is formed in a rear end of the pole (352). A third bolt (36) isinserted into the through hole in the corresponding flat (222) and thefirst bear (3512) in turn and engaged with a second nut (37). A fourthbolt (30) is inserted into the through aperture (342) in thecorresponding protrusion (34) and the second bear (3522) in turn andengaged with a third nut (38).

With reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, one of the pedals (21) is moveddownwards slowly via the resistance force of the corresponding pressurecylinder (24) when it is treaded by a user. The front arm (22) of thestepped pedal (21) is pivotally moved so that the flat (222) connectedto the front arm (22) of the foresaid pedal (21) drives thecorresponding driving element (35) forwards. Then, the protrusion (34)is rotated and drives the other driving element (35) rearwards. Hence,the other flat (222) is driven rearwards and therefore, the other arm(22) pivotally connected to another pedal (21) is move upwards.

Additionally, when the other pedal (21) is moved downwards, thecorresponding pedal (21) is moved upwards so that the user can exerciseconveniently. The treaded pedal (21) can be stopped via thecorresponding stopping block (214) attaching to the stopping element(33) so that the pedal members (20) don't collide with the base (10).Furthermore, the shank (351) is connected to the pole (352) via thesecond threaded portion (352) so that the length of the driving element(35) can be adjusted and the treading process of the user can also beadjusted.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 7-9, when the knob element (32) is pulled outof the first opening (1611) and the first inserting opening (311), theboard (31) slides along the rail (116) so that the holder (312) as wellas the protrusion (34) can be moved to a front end of the long hole(113). Hence, the stopping element (34) is moved forwards along theguiding slot (112) and therefore, the stopping blocks (214) arerespectively detached from the stopping element (33) to move downwards.Furthermore, the flats (222) are moved forwards integrally so that thearms (22) and the pedals (21) are moved downwards and horizontally andreceived between the rod (12) and the seat (16) to shrink the volume ofthe present invention for storage.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, two pads (40) are respectivelymounted on the pedals (21). A first shell (41) is mounted around thepivotal element (13), a second shell (42) is mounted around the seat(16) and two third shells (43) are respectively mounted around the frontarms (22) to reduce damage and improve the appearance of the stepexerciser.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly. Changes may be made in details, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. A foldable step exerciser comprising: a base having a girder having apin hole radially defined in a top of the girder, two guiding blocksrespectively provided on a bottom of the girder and corresponding to thepin hole, a rail formed between the two guiding blocks andlongitudinally extending along the girder, a pivotal element provided ona front end of the girder and having a front shaft transversely mountedon of the pivotal element; and a seat provided at the bottom of andperpendicular to the girder and having a middle portion connected to thetwo guiding blocks; two pedal members symmetrically provided on twosides of the girder and each having a pedal, a front arm pivotallyconnected between a bottom of the pedal and one end of the front shaft,a flat formed on a lower end of the front arm, and a pressure cylinderprovided between the pedal and the seat; and an interlock member mountedbetween the base and the pedal members and having a board inserted intothe seat and the rail, a first inserting hole defined in the board andcorresponding to the pin hole, a knob element inserted into the pin holeand the first inserting hole whereby the interlock member is securelyconnected to the girder, and a protrusion transversely and pivotallymounted on a front end of the board, and two driving membersrespectively provided between each flat and one of two ends of theprotrusion.
 2. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, whereina rear shaft is transversely mounted on the girder and is lower than thefront shaft, the seat has two wings formed respectively at two ends ofthe seat and connected to two ends of the rear shaft, two rear arms arerespectively and pivotally connected to the bottom of the pedals, andthe rear arms are respectively and pivotally connected to the ends ofthe rear shaft, a elongated hole is defined in the girder, and a C-likeholder is formed on a front end of the board and an upper end of theholder is received into the elongated hole, an orifice is longitudinallydefined in the holder and a pivotal orifice is defined in a center ofthe holder, and an axle is inserted into the orifice and pivotallyinserted in the pivotal orifice.
 3. The folded step exerciser as claimedin claim 1, wherein a guiding slot is defined in the top of the girder,a stopping element is inserted into the guiding slot and is connected tothe board, a lug is formed on an upper end of the stopping element and afinger is formed at a lower end of the stopping block and extendsdownwards to connect to the board, and two stopping blocks arerespectively provided on the bottoms of the pedals, laterally extendabove the girder and correspond to the upper end of the stoppingelement.
 4. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, whereineach driving element has a shank and a pole, a threaded aperture isdefined in a rear end of the shank and a first bear is formed in a frontend of the shank, a second threaded portion is formed in a front end ofthe pole and corresponding to the threaded aperture in the shank, and asecond bear is formed in a rear end of the pole, each flat has a throughhole and the protrusion of the interlock member has two throughapertures defined in two ends of the protrusion, and wherein each firstbear is connected to a corresponding flat and each second bear isconnected to one of the ends of the protrusion so that each drivingmember is pivotally connected to the corresponding flat and theprotrusion.
 5. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 3, whereineach driving element has a shank and a pole, a threaded aperture isdefined in a rear end of the shank and a first bear is formed in a frontend of the shank, a second threaded portion is formed in a front end ofthe pole and corresponding to the threaded aperture in the shank, and asecond bear is formed in a rear end of the pole, each flat has a throughhole and the protrusion of the interlock member has two throughapertures defined in two ends of the protrusion, and wherein each firstbear is connected to a corresponding flat and each second bear isconnected to one of the ends of the protrusion so that each drivingmember is pivotally connected to the corresponding flat and theprotrusion.
 6. The folded step exerciser as claimed in claim 1, whereina rod has an arcuate post provided in a rear end of the girder and ahandle is transversely provided between two ends of the post.
 7. Thefolded step exerciser as claimed in claim 3, wherein a rod has anarcuate post provided in a rear end of the girder and a handle istransversely provided between two ends of the post.
 8. The folded stepexercise as claimed in claim 3, wherein a magnetic block and a sensorare respectively and securely mounted on the stopping blocks.